ORIGIN

Pretty Roof: 4-Speed-Swapped 1961 Ford Starliner

This 1961 Ford Starliner was purchased by the owner in 1986, and was painted 1972 Ford Bright Red. The car received a restoration that included an engine overhaul that replicated the 6V 401 hp that came as an option from the dealer, and a 4-speed on the floor from a ’68 Galaxie makes this a driver;s car. Find this one here on Hemmings in Hopewell, New Jersey for $16k or offer.

At 81.5 inches wide, the 1960 Fords were the widest yet, more than an inch wider than the Lincolns of that year. The bright red paint really works on this big bodied coupe, and although the whitewall tires aren’t to everyone’s taste, the color-matched wheels and chrome hubcaps suit the car nicely. We love the acute angle of the front windshield paired with the long rake of the rear on these cars.

The interior wears new vinyl upholstery according to the seller, and the headliner is new as well. The carpeting has been replaced, although the burgundy color is distracting when paired with the bright red dash and exterior, but this is an easy fix. The aftermarket tachometer and gauges are necessary to keep tabs on the engine, and are relatively subdued, but we’d move the tach to the dash top like a Thunderbolt and affix the gauges beneath the ash tray.

The engine started its life as a stock 390 with a 3-speed overdrive transmission, and was converted using solid lifters, a 406 cam, cast headers, and matched to a 4-speed transmission from a ’68 Galaxie. Only about 100 4-speed Starliners were delivered in ’61, and the transmissions would arrive in the trunk of the car, to be installed by the dealer upon delivery. We think it is a good upgrade.

We love the look of these coupes, and the upgrades here only make this one more fun. Swap in some blackwalls or some wider steel wheels for a tougher appearance, then just drive this thing as a sub-$20k cruiser.